St Gregory's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Choosing what to play, moving between indoors and outdoors, and learning to talk with other children shape nursery life at St Gregory's. There are separate provisions for two-year-olds and children aged three to four, within the Catholic primary school on Montreal Road in Netherley, Liverpool. The emphasis is on the foundations: communication, physical development and learning to get along.

Catholic teaching forms part of the day. Early years uses To know You more clearly for religious education, with themes including Creation and Covenant and Dialogue and Encounter explored at a level suited to the child's age. Families are also invited to join Collective Worship.

Play combines children's own choices with activities guided by adults. Indoor and outdoor learning spaces operate on a free-flow basis, so learning is not confined to a classroom table. Both nursery provisions use resources chosen for children's age and development.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the framework for education and care here. In nursery, its three prime areas take precedence: developing language, building physical skills and managing feelings and relationships. In everyday terms, that means practising conversation, making friends and learning to share, alongside movement and handling tools. Running and jumping develop larger movements; pencils and scissors require finer control.

Other activities include making pictures and models, singing, exploring how things work and using programmable toys. These give children different ways to investigate and express ideas. Learning records are linked to Development Matters, and parents can add to their child's learning journal, connecting experiences at home with nursery learning.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that nursery children, including those in the two-year-old provision, were learning letter sounds and taking part in storytelling, songs and rhymes. Early reading therefore begins with listening and joining in.

The February 2024 inspection described two- and three-year-olds settling promptly, listening to one another and sharing equipment. That is useful evidence about children's adjustment to the nursery's social routines.

Stay and play takes place each term. Parents can take part in activities, see displays and talk with their child's key person; termly parents' evenings provide another opportunity to discuss learning. The two-year-old nursery's staffing information includes a manager with nursery-management training and paediatric first aid, alongside practitioners with level-three qualifications.

For two-year-olds, snacks are supplied in both parts of the day. Children staying all day can bring a packed lunch or have a school meal for an additional charge. Families provide dietary, allergy and health information before their child starts, making those needs part of the information staff receive.

The school's SEND Graduated Approach involves identifying needs, trying support within school and seeking specialist input where appropriate. External referrals require parental consent. Families raise concerns with the class teacher first, with the SENCo involved if further support is needed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their child's entry year.

Liverpool City Council is the application route identified by the school. For the September 2024 intake, applications closed on 15 January 2024; that cycle also required a supplementary faith form. Those dates belong to a past intake. Families should use the arrangements for their own entry year rather than treat nursery enrolment as a school-place offer.

Morning nursery runs from 8.45am to 11.45am, with afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The full-day option spans 8.45am to 3.30pm. The two-year-old provision operates Monday to Friday during term time.

Booking flexibility. Extra sessions can be bought when spaces permit, but booked sessions cannot be exchanged because of staffing ratios. Families need a pattern that works consistently. Snack contributions and school lunches are charged separately; contact the school for current charges.

Funding includes 15 hours from the term following a child's third birthday, with 30 hours for eligible families. The school also identifies funding routes for eligible two-year-olds. For the three- and four-year-old extended entitlement, families give their eligibility code to the nursery manager, who checks session availability; eligibility must be reconfirmed every three months.

Enquiries go to the school office on 0151 498 4313. Calls must show the caller's number. The EYFS guidance asks families to use school uniform, label belongings and notify staff if someone different will collect their child.